What Is the Difficulty? - An Interview with Shrutakirti Dasa - 2008-11-09

How can Bhaktivedanta College contribute to Srila Prabhupada’s movement?

SK: The college is important for ISKCON’s future since it offers systematic training. To get training in a Krishna-conscious environment is good, and it is something that has been lacking. I hope that in the near future many students will be able to take up management positions in ISKCON and help the society.

How can young new devotees develop their personal relationships with Srila Prabhupada in such a way that they remain enthusiastic to serve this movement?

SK: It is helpful to find out about Srila Prabhupada’s personality, qualities, and care and compassion. Everyone could hear about him this week, and for the last few years I have been traveling around and sharing my memories with everyone. During our seminar here, one of my godbrothers who never met Srila Prabhupada but got initiated through the mail has seen how valuable it is to have an understanding of Srila Prabhupada as a person. We all know that the spiritual master’s instructions are more important than his physical association, but understanding Srila Prabhupada’s personal dealings will give us appreciation for him and teach us how a pure devotee acts. This is important for everyone.

What is it you want to teach through your seminar?

SK: I usually give the seminar for at least three days because it takes time for people to develop attachment for Srila Prabhupada. We should all know that whatever Srila Prabhupada did, whether he chastised or praised someone, it encouraged that person in Krishna consciousness. Srila Prabhupada always acted out of love, and this is something one cannot imitate. It has to be genuine. Prabhupada was genuine. So this is what I am trying to establish: that Prabhupada was a loving, caring spiritual master, who enlivened people to become Krishna conscious. By hearing about him, one can understand how he would do things and deal with people on a personal level. This is something everybody should know, because Prabhupada was like that. In personal dealings, Srila Prabhupada was always caring and did not discourage people. He was too compassionate.

What is your advice for the future generations?

SK: You have to learn the philosophy, read Prabhupada’s books, and want to take association from people that can help you. And be independently thoughtful. We need independent people, and self-direction should not be repressed. Srila Prabhupada wanted everyone to become a leader. He wanted people to come up with their own ideas how to spread Krishna consciousness, and he encouraged hem in that. People are thoughtful. They have so many ideas. But this also takes a lot of humility. Accepting a spiritual master is the essential point in one’s devotional service. We have to pray to Krishna to develop a relationship with someone whom we know cares for us. Although in the early years everyone was following Prabhupada, it did not mean that they did not have responsibilities, and it did not mean that they were not exercising their intelligence and making decisions. According to our philosophy, those who are authorities and leaders are the greatest servants.

What is your advice for devotees when they face the departure of their spiritual masters? How can devotees remain inspired and enthusiastic?

SK: There are different ways. Some disciples never personally associated with Srila Prabhupada, but because of Prabhupada’s teachings and his loyalty to us, they remained in the process. Prabhupada was completely loyal to his disciples. He said that he never wanted to see anyone leave. It was that connection with him that so many devotees felt: this eternal indebtedness to Prabhupada because of the loyalty he expressed and showed. One should become fixed in the philosophy and chant sixteen rounds daily, and so on, but ultimately it takes one’s personal decision to stay with the process. We should seek out good association and become inspired. It is important to understand how maya works. At every step we have to know how to do something, never thinking that we are hopeless. That hopelessness is maya. Whether the spiritual master is present or not, we have to be careful to hold on to his instructions. We have to have faith that the spiritual master is still present and assisting us. Prabhupada’s association is available, and when we have strong faith, then we can do anything. But when we do not have faith, we can easily be defeated. On our own it is very hard.

When there are no more direct disciples of Shrila Prabhupada present, how can we keep Prabhupada’s authority in the forefront and not let anyone lessen his importance?

SK: It is essential and important not to change things. ISKCON must be established in the way that Srila Prabhupada actually gave us: the structure of the society, the temples, the management, and everything else. We have to understand the real purpose of our service. It is not a question of what is going to happen in the future, but of what are we doing now in our society to protect it. Prabhupada said that everything is in his books. If we could become Krishna conscious, everything would become clear. It is important that Prabhupada’s disciples train their disciples to give Krishna consciousness to others. Prabhupada did everything in simple ways. It is important not to change any of the philosophy. Prabhupada was not shy about presenting the philosophy. Even when he spoke to people who would write columns that would be read by thousands of people, Prabhupada presented the philosophy purely. That is where Prabhupada did not compromise. He compromised with his disciples out of his compassion and mercy, but as far as the philosophy was concerned, there was never any compromise. When Prabhupada was on the vyasasana, he always spoke the Absolute Truth.

Lectures from the first day seminar could be downloaded here.

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When the retreat ended, devotees celebrated Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance anniversary by chanting bhajans throughout the day and reading from Shrutakirti’s book, What Is the Difficulty? This retreat touched the hearts of all the devotees who took it. I did not want to be any other place except in the classroom where we listened to anecdotes about Srila Prabhupada: his way of joking, his way of cooking, dressing, and taking massage, and so on. One of my favourite exchanges shows how close Prabhupada is to us even now and how merciful he will always remain:

A lady asked Srila Prabhupada, “Prabhupada, what if at the time of death we cannot remember Krishna, but we remember you? Is this OK?”

Srila Prabhupada nodded his head, slightly smiled, and answered: “That’s all right.”

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